Citation and License

Diagnostic Pathology 2013, 8:155
doi:10.1186/1746-1596-8-155

Published: 20 September 2013

Abstract

Objective

As a receptor for both vascular endothelial growth factors and semaphorin, neuropilin-1
(NRP-1) is reported to be up-regulated in cells of several cancers. However, its roles
in human nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) are still unclear. Therefore, the goal of
this study was to investigate the expression pattern of NRP-1 in NPC tissues, to clarify
the clinical significance of NRP-1 expression in NPC as well as the potential prognostic
implication of NRP-1 expression.

Methods

Immunohistochemistry was performed to detect the expression of NRP-1 in tumor tissue
samples from 266 NPC patients. The association of NRP-1 protein expression with the
clinicopathological characteristics and the prognosis of NPC were subsequently assessed.

Conclusion

These findings suggest for the first time that NRP-1 upregulation may be a novel biomarker
for the prediction of advanced tumor progression and unfavorable prognosis in NPC
patients who may benefit from alternative treatment strategy and targeted treatment.